Ornamental clip



March 17, 1970 D. A. ZINNl ORNAMENTAL 'CLIP Filed Feb. 17, 1969 FIG.3

IV"""""' I I "A FIG.4

I G 5 INVENTOR DOMENIC A. ZINNI ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 3,500,512 ORNAMENTAL CLIP Domenic A. Zinni, Warwick, R.I., assignor to B. B. Greenberg Co., Cranston, R.I., a corporation of Rhotle Island Filed Feb. 17, 1969, Ser. No. 799,759 Int. Cl. A44b 21/00 US. Cl. 24252 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE conforms to the portion of the wearer it engages, thereby' avoiding discomfort to the wearer in the use of the clip.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an ornamental clip for I use with an article of wearing apparel such as a shoe. Prior to the instant invention various types of ornamental elements have been employed with shoes but have either required a complicated structure for securing the element to the shoe, were permanently fixed to the shoe by a fastening device or were adhered thereto by an adhesive or the like. It is contemplated that the present invention will be fastened to a strap or to the vamp of the shoe in the use thereof, and heretofore shoe ornaments that were used in this manner were secured in place by prongs that extended through the material of the shoe or strap or by a fastening device of some convenient construction. Such devices were usually undesirable since the cost in attaching the ornament to the shoe was prohibitive and further such devices resulted in discomfort to the wearer of the shoe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The ornamental clip for use with a shoe as embodied herein includes an ornament to which a clip assembly is attached, the clip assembly cooperating with the ornament for securement therewith to a strap or vamp of the shoe. The clip assembly includes a plate that is attachable to the ornament, the plate having spaced ears formed thereon between which a spring tongue is located. A clamping arm is mounted for pivotal movement on the plate and includes an enlarged jaw formed on one end and a cam edge formed on the other end for engagement with the spring tongue. Opposed projections are formed on the clamping arm for engaging the ears in bearing relation therewith, wherein the jaw is adapted to be urged to a positive position in overlying relation on the plate by the interaction of the spring member and cam edge. As the clamping arm is moved to the closed position by the spring member, a portion of the shoe is captured between the jaw and the base plate, the ornament thereby being secured on the outer surface of the shoe.'In order to firmly secure the ornamental clip in place the jaw includes teeth that penetrate the captured portion of the shoe to cause the jaw to be more firmly secured thereto. Means are also formed on the peripheral edge of the jaw for not only increasing the resistance thereof to deformation but further preventing irritation of the portion of the wearer with which the jaw makes contact.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an ornamental clip for use with an article of wearing apparel that is both simple to apply to the article and relatively inexpensive in the manufacture thereof.

Patented Mar. 17, 1970 Another object of the invention is to provide an ornamental clip for use as a shoe ornament that includes a pivotally mounted clamping arm that includes a jaw having means for penetrating a portion of the shoe, wherein the aw is firmly secured to the shoe, means being formed on the peripheral edge of the jaw for increasing the res stance of the jaw to deformation and preventing irritation of the portion of the wearer with which the jaw makes contact.

Still another object is to provide an ornamental clip for use as a shoe ornament that is both attractive in appearance and easy to secure in place in the use thereof.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG 1 is a side elevation view of the ornamental clip embodied in the present invention as mounted on an article of wearing apparel;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the clip as shown in the open posltion thereof prior to securement to an article of wearing apparel;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the cli '11 t in FIGS. 1 and 2; p 1 us rated FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken alon l FIG. 3; and g me 4 4 In FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken al FIG. 3. ong line 5 5 in DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawing, the ornamental clip that defines the clip assembly embodied in the present invention is generally indicated at 10 and includes an ornament 12 indicated in broken lines in FIGS. 1 and 2 that may be of a convenient design or configuration. The ornamental clip 10 further includes a base plate generally indicated at 14 on which a clamping arm generally indicated at 16 is pivotally mounted. As will be described hereinafter, the clamping arm 16 is pivotally mounted with respect to the plate 14 and ornament 12 for capturing or clamping therebetween an article of wearing apparel indicated at 18 in broken lines in FIG. 1. Since the ornamental clip 10 as embodied herein has particular application as a shoe ornament, further reference to the art cle of wearing apparel 18 will be to clamping of the clip on a strap or vamp of the shoe.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the plate 12 includes a body portion 20 in the center of which a spring tongue 22 is cut out to define spaced cars 24 and 26 on both sides thereof. The ornament 12 is secured to the body portion 20 in some convenient manner such as deforming the body portion 20 over projecting portions of the ornament, or by welding or soldering the ornament 12 to the body portion 20 as indicated at 28 in FIG. 3. As further illustrated in FIG. 1, the spaced ears 24 and 26 of the base plate 12 have an arcuate configuration to define bearing-surfaces for receiving projections formed on an extension of the clamping arm 16 as will now be described.

As illustrated in FIG. 2 the clamping arm 16 includes a aw 30 that in the form of the invention shown herein has a generally oval or elliptical configuration. It is understood, that the body portion 30 can be formed in any desired configuration. Integrally joined to the jaw 30 of the clamping arm 16 is an extension 32 that is bent to form an elbow 33 as illustrated in FIG. 2 so that when the clamping arm 16 is pivoted to a closed position the jaw 30 will be located in firmly engaging relation with the portion of the shoe 18 on which the ornamental clip 10 is mounted. The outermost edge of the extension 32 defines a cam edge 34 that engages the spring member 22, opposed projections 35 and 36 being integrally joined to the extension 32 and being received within the ears 24 and 26 respectively in bearing relation. It is seen that the clamping arm 16 is pivotally movable with respect to the plate 14 through the interaction of the projections 35 and 36 within the ears 24 and 26, the cam edge 34 engaging the spring 22 and providing for an over-center action of the clamping arm 16 as it ivots to and from the open and closed positions.

It is seen that when the clamping arm 16 moves to the closed position thereof, the jaw 30 captures the portion of the shoe 18 therebetween and the ornament 12. In order to firmlygrip the shoe portion 18, the jaw 30 is provided with a plurality of teeth 38 that are blanked out of the body of the jaw 30 to form a slot 40. The teeth 38 are formed with pointed ends and are disposed at substantially right angles with respect to the body of the jaw 30, so that when the clamping arm 16 is pivoted to the closed position thereof as illustrated in FIG. 1, the teeth 38 penetrate the shoe portion 18 to firmly secure the shoe portion between the jaw 30 and the ornament 12.

In use of the ornamental clip 10, it will preferably be mounted on a strap of a shoe or on the vamp of the shoe, and since the jaw 30 when in the closed position thereof, as illustrated in FIG. 1, will engage the wearers instep, the wearer might experience some irritation. In order to prevent possible irritation of the wearers instep by reason of contact of the jaw 30 therewith when the shoe ornament is mounted in place on the shoe, the peripheral or marginal edge of the jaw 30 is turned in a direction that is opposite to the surface that contacts the instep of the wearer to define a flange 42. Not only does the peripheral or marginal edge located on the body portion 30 in contact with the wearers foot have a smooth conformation that will prevent irritation of the foot of the wearer, but the flange 42 as formed on the peripheral edge of the jaw 30 adds rigidity thereto. To further protect the foot of the wearer when the jaw 30 makes contact therewith, the body of the jaw 30 is curved in longitudinal section as indicated in FIG. 5, so that the surface which is adapted to be located in engagement with the wearers foot is formed with a concave configuration. Secured to the concave surface of the body of the jaw 30 is a pad 44 that may be formed of a resilient material such as foam, the pad 44 being cemented in place on the concave surface of the jaw body. It is seen that the jaw 30 of the clamping arm 16 is formed so as to eliminate any sharp edge that might cause discomfort to the wearer. The jaw 30 is also formed such that the flanged edge adds rigidity to the body thereof. In addition, the jaw 30 of the clamping arm is so formed that the general concave curvature on the outer surface thereof conforms to the curvature of the wearers foot, and since this surface is padded, the further insures that the mounting of the ornament on the wearers shoe will not result in any discomfort to the wearer.

The shoe ornament is conveniently mounted in place on the shoe of the wearer by placing the strap or vamp of the shoe between the ornament 12 and the clamping arm 16. The clamping arm is then moved from the position illustrated in FIG. 2 to the position illustrated in FIG. 1, the teeth 38 penetrating the shoe portion with which it engages, thereby firmly securing the ornamental clip in place. It is understood that the clip 10 may be removed from its mounted position as required by simply pivoting the clamping arm 16 to the open position as illustrated in FIG. 2 and then withdrawing the clip from its mounted position.

What is claimed is:

1. In an ornamental clip for use with an article of wearing apparel, an ornament, a clip assembly attached to said ornament and cooperating therewith for securement to said article of wearing apparel, said clip assembly including a plate that is attachable to said ornament, said plate having spaced ears formed thereon between which a spring tongue is located, and a clamping arm mounted for pivotal movement on said plate and including an extension on which a cam edge is formed for engagement with said spring tongue and to which opposed projections are joined for engaging said ears in bearing relation, a jaw formed on said clamping arm and being urged to a positive position in overlying relation on said plate by the interaction of said spring member and cam edge, a portion of said article of wearing apparel being captured between said plate and jaw for securing said ornament on said article, said jaw including means for penetrating the captured portion of said article to cause said jaw to be made firmly secured thereto, and means formed on the peripheral edge of said jaw for increasing the resistance thereof to deformation, said penetrating means including a plurality of teeth that are formed on said jaw and that project in a direction for being received in said article of wearing apparel when said article is captured between said jaw and plate, said means formed on the peripheral edge of said jaw being a marginal flange that projects in the same direction as said teeth, wherein the edge opposite to said marginal flange is smooth so as to protect the portion of the wearer on which the article of apparel is worn.

2. In an ornamental clip for use with an article of wearing apparel, an ornament, a clip assembly attached to said ornament and cooperating therewith for securement to said article of wearing apparel, said clip assembly including a plate that is attachable to said ornament, said plate having spaced ears formed thereon between which a spring tongue is located and a clamping arm mounted for pivotal movement on said plate and including an extension on which a cam edge is formed for engagement with said spring tongue and to which opposed projections are joined for engaging said ears in bearing relation, a jaw formed on said clamping arm and being urged to a positive-position in overlying relation on said plate by the interaction of said spring member and cam edge, a portion of said article of wearing apparel being captured between said plate and jaw for securing said ornament on said article, said jaw including means for penetrating the captured portion of said article to cause said jaw to be made firmly secured thereto, and means formed on the peripheral edge of said jaw for increasing the resistance thereof to deformation, said jaw including a portion that is curved in longitudinal cross section to define a concave surface that conforms to the portion of the wearer with which said jaw engages when said clip is secured to said article, said penetrating means including a plurality of teeth that are formed on the jaw portion and that project in a direction for being received in said article of wearing apparel, when said article is captured between said jaw and plate, said means formed on the peripheral edge of said jaw being a marginal flange that projects into the same direction as said teeth, wherein the edge'opposite to said marginal flange is smooth so as to protect the portion of the wearer with which said clip is engaged.

3. In an ornamental clip for use with an article of wearing apparel, an ornament, a clip assembly attached to said ornament and cooperating therewith for securement to said article of wearing apparel, said clip assembly including a plate that is attachable to said ornament, said plate having spaced ears formed thereon between which a spring tongue is located, and a clamping arm mounted for pivotal movement on said plate and including an extension on which a cam edge is formed for engagement with said spring tongue and to which opposed projections are joined for engaging said ears in bearing relation, a jaw formed on said clamping arm and being urged to a positive position in overlying relation on said plate by the interaction of said spring member and cam edge, a portion of said article of wearing apparel being captured between said plate and jaw for securing said ornament on said article, said jaw having a plurality of outwardly extending teeth blanked out therefrom that project into said article of wearing apparel when said article is captured between said jaw and plate, the longitudinal axis of said jaw being located in parallel relation to the pivot axis of said clamping arm, said jaw being curved along the longitudinal axis thereof to define a concave surface that conforms to the portion of the wearer with which said jaw engages when said clip is secured to said article, and a pad conforming to the configuration of said jaw and secured to the concave surface thereof, thereby defining a protective element for the portion of the wearer that the jaw engages.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 736,742 8/1903 Knapp 241 20 1,371,637 3/1921 Meredith 2412O 1,439-241 12/1922 Hoppe 24120 1,677,849 7/1928 Roberts.

1,892,918 1 /193 3 Waller. 2,583,563 1/1952 Habel. 2,895,659 7/ 1959 Richterkessing.

DONALD A. GRIFFIN, Primary Examiner 

